Apparatus and method for controlling a solenoid

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling the operation of a solenoid includes a control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition. The control circuit, in response to said activation signal, provides a first energizing signal to the solenoid for a first predetermined period, and cuts off the first energizing signal for a second predetermined period. The control circuit further provides a second energizing signal to the solenoid for a third predetermined period.

1. An apparatus for controlling an operation of a solenoid, the apparatus comprising:
 a control circuit; 
 said control circuit configured to receive an activation signal in response to a predetermined condition; said predetermined condition being external to said solenoid; 
 wherein said control circuit is further to provide a first energizing signal to said solenoid for a first predetermined period, and to thereafter cut off said first energizing signal for a second predetermined period; and thereafter to provide a second energizing signal to said solenoid for a third predetermined period, all in response to said activation signal; 
 wherein said control circuit is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of the said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
 
   
   
     2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control circuit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other duration periods. 
   
   
     3. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control circuit comprises a switching device that is configured to cut off said first energizing signal for said second predetermined period; and wherein said switching device is further configured to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
   
   
     4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said switching device is one of an SCR, a MOSFET, a TRIAC, and a transistor. 
   
   
     5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control circuit comprises:
 a switching device; and 
 a timer in electrical communication with said switching device; 
 wherein said timer, in response to said activation signal, is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said first predetermined period, and 
 said timer is configured to shut off said switching device to cut off said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said second predetermined period, 
 and said timer is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
 
   
   
     6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said timer is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
   
   
     7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said control circuit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other said duration periods. 
   
   
     8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control circuit comprises a microcontroller;
 wherein said microcontroller further comprises a timer in electrical communication with a switching device; 
 wherein said microcontroller, in response to said activation signal, triggers said switching device to provide said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said first predetermined period, and 
 said microcontroller shuts off said switching device to cut off said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said second predetermined period, and 
 said microcontroller triggers said switching device to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
 
   
   
     9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said control circuit is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of the said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
   
   
     10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said control circuit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other said duration periods. 
   
   
     11. A method for controlling an operation of a solenoid, the method comprising:
 sensing an activation signal indicative of a predetermined condition; said predetermined condition being external to said solenoid; 
 providing a first energizing signal to said solenoid; 
 cutting off said first solenoid energizing signal after a first predetermined period, for a second predetermined period; 
 providing a second solenoid activation signal to said solenoid after said second predetermined period; 
 maintaining said second solenoid activation signal for a third predetermined period; and 
 adjusting the duration of said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of  claim 11 , further comprising adjusting any of said duration periods independently of the other said duration periods. 
   
   
     13. A solenoid control system, comprising:
 an activation signal control path in signal communication with a solenoid control unit; 
 a solenoid circuit path in signal communication with said solenoid control unit; a power source configured to provide power to said activation signal control path and said solenoid circuit path; 
 said solenoid control unit configured to receive an activation signal from said activation signal control path in response to a predetermined condition; said predetermined condition being external to said solenoid; 
 wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to provide a first energizing signal to a solenoid included within said solenoid circuit path for a first predetermined period, said solenoid control unit further configured to thereafter cut off said first energizing signal for a second predetermined period; and said solenoid control unit thereafter configured to provide a second energizing signal to said solenoid for a third predetermined period; 
 wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of the said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
 
   
   
     14. The solenoid control system of  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other duration periods. 
   
   
     15. The solenoid control system of  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control unit includes a switching device is configured to cut off said first energizing signal for said second predetermined period, and said switching device is further configured to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
   
   
     16. The solenoid control system of  claim 15 , wherein said switching device is one of an SCR, a MOSFET, a TRIAC, and a transistor. 
   
   
     17. The solenoid control system of  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control unit includes a switching device;
 said solenoid control unit further comprising a timer in electrical communication with said switching device; 
 wherein said timer, in response to said activation signal, is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said first predetermined period, and 
 said timer is configured to shut off said switching device to cut off said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said second predetermined period, and said timer is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
 
   
   
     18. The solenoid control system of  claim 17 , wherein said timer is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
   
   
     19. The solenoid control system of  claim 18 , wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other said duration periods. 
   
   
     20. The solenoid control system of  claim 13 , wherein said solenoid control unit includes a microcontroller;
 wherein said microcontroller further comprises a timer in electrical communication with a switching device; 
 wherein said microcontroller, in response to said activation signal, is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said first predetermined period, and 
 said microcontroller is configured to shut off said switching device to cut off said first energizing signal to said solenoid for said second predetermined period, and 
 said microcontroller is configured to trigger said switching device to provide said second energizing signal to said solenoid for said third predetermined period. 
 
   
   
     21. The solenoid control system of  claim 20 , wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to enable adjustment of the duration of the said first energizing signal, the duration of said second predetermined period, and the duration of said second energizing signal. 
   
   
     22. The solenoid control system of  claim 21 , wherein said solenoid control unit is configured to enable adjustment of any of said duration periods independently of the other said duration periods.